ADDICTION ON PRESCRIBED SEDATIVE-HYPNOTICS

This paper reviews the conceptualization of addiction on prescribed se dative-hypnotics medications; its evolution, occurrence, characteristi cs and validity. Such addictive behaviour is often concurrent with sev ere anxiety and/or personality disorders and follows a dismal course. The rate of suicide is very high, particularly in health care personne l with access to lethal medications. The risk of developing this kind of addiction is miniscule, considering the mass exposure to these medi cations in the general population. Yet, moralizing arguments amplified by the media, as well as overzealous government interventions create unnecessary obstacles to proper and effective pharmacotherapy for morb id anxiety and insomnia.